Trojan spikers launch league play with victory

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 14, 2011 1:49 PM

• Print
• Email

MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Erika Conner served three aces in the first seven points of the match and Mount Olive recorded its highest single-match ace total in three years as the Trojans defeated Conference Carolinas foe St. Andrews 25-15, 25-11, 25-12 inside Kornegay Arena on Tuesday evening.

It was the Trojans' league opener.

Conner and Carly White shared match-high honors with 10 kills apiece, while Lauren Lee led all players with four service aces and 11 digs. Charnel Austin and Destiny Ma'ave-Kuewa added two aces apiece for the Trojans.

MOC tallied its highest ace total since serving 14 aces against Queens University-Charlotte on October 18, 2008.

Ma'ave-Kuewa recorded 29 assists for the Trojans and White tallied a match-high five blocks. White had seven kills in the first set, while Conner paced Mount Olive in the second set with seven kills.

The Trojans (4-4 overall, 1-0 CC) travel to Lees-McRae on Friday and visit Belmont Abbey on Saturday.

Patriots blank Trojan men

FLORENCE, S.C. -- Mount Olive College's Kyle Lavender turned away eight shots, but the men's soccer team could not find the back of the net Tuesday night in a 1-0 loss at Francis Marion University.

The Trojan freshman faced a barrage of Patriot shots in the opening 10 minutes. He saved a pair of attempts from point-blank range, then another shot glanced off the crossbar. It wasn't until the 35:05 mark that the Patriots finally cashed in.

Francis Marion (1-4-0) forward Alex Blandin was fouled inside the penalty box, and fired a penalty kick past Lavender for the only marker of the contest.

The goal ruined a stellar performance in net by Lavender who faced 19 shots, 12 in the first period.

The Trojans (0-5-0 overall) return to action Saturday in their Conference Carolinas opener against King (Tenn.) College. Kickoff is 4 p.m. at Amon Field.

McIntyre tabbed by conference

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive College goalkeeper Lyndsey McIntyre, who recorded 10 saves in the Trojans' 1-1 double overtime tie against nationally 23rd-ranked UNC Pembroke last week, has been named Conference Carolinas women's soccer player-of-the-week.

McIntyre compiled a 0.45 goals against average in two matches last week to help the Trojans to a 1-0-1 record against two previously unbeaten teams.

A senior from Leesburg, Va., McIntyre limited UNC Pembroke to one goal in 110 minutes. UNC Pembroke had scored 17 goals in its first two matches before playing the Trojans. McIntyre also recorded her 13th collegiate shutout in Mount Olive's 1-0 victory over perennial regional power Lincoln Memorial. UNC Pembroke and Lincoln Memorial entered last week with a combined 5-0 record.

McIntyre lowered her season goals against average to 0.93, best among Conference Carolinas goalkeepers. She has allowed only three goals in 290 minutes this season, one coming on a penalty kick.

Mount Olive is 1-1-1 this season with two of the matches coming against teams ranked in the top five in the Southeast Region.

The Trojans are off until Saturday when they open Conference Carolinas play at home against first-year conference member King (Tenn.) College. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Amon Field.